List of thalidomide side effects
Adverse effects by frequency:
Note that teratogenicity is not discussed here as it is not considered a side effect. For information regarding birth defects, see thalidomide.
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- Somnolence
- Edema
- Hypotension
- Headache
- Haematuria
- Arthralgia
- Myalgia
- Increased bilirubin
- Neutropenia
- Leucopenia
- Lymphopenia
- Constipation
- Peripheral neuropathy†
- Dizziness
- Paraesthesia
- Dysaesthesia
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Toxic skin eruption
- Dry skin
- Rash
- Urticaria
- Pyrexia
- Asthenia
- Interstitial lung disease
- Heart failure
- Depression
- Pneumonia
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- Shortness of breath
- Tremor
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
- Increased appetite
- Bradycardia
- Tachycardia
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Malaise
- Deep vein thrombosis
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
- Thrombocytopenia
- Anaemia
- Hypothyroidism
- Reduced libido
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Thromboembolic events
- Bronchospasm
- Intestinal obstruction
- Pruritus
- Stevens–Johnson syndrome
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Facial oedema
- Photosensitivity
- Menstruation abnormalities